Bruins excited to get back on ice, sorry it took so long

Fans at Jobing.com Arena reach out for high-fives
from Andrew Ference following a game between the Bruins and
Coyotes. (Getty Images)

At some point within the next two weeks, the 2012-13
– err, 2013 – NHL season will finally get underway, as
the league and the players’ association struck a deal on a
new CBA early Sunday, ending the league’s second lockout in
the last nine seasons.

For the Boston Bruins – the last team to formally
raise a championship banner, I might note – the chance to
begin their quest to reclaim the Stanley Cup is finally about to
get underway.

“As players we can now do what we do
best: proudly pull on our jerseys and play with complete passion
for our cities and fans,” B’s blueliner Andrew Ference,
who was on hand for negotiations in New York, tweeted.

Ference, who skated for Ceske Budejovice
in the Czech Republic during the lockout, is hopeful everyone can
promptly put these turbulent last few months behind them.

“I hope that we can replace the
intense negativity brought on our sport with a reminder of how
great it can be when the action is on the ice,” the veteran
defenseman wrote.

Meanwhile, one of the few Bruins who
elected to not head overseas also took to the social media website
to share his joy over the looming start of a new season.

“Happiest for you fans,” Milan
Lucic wrote. “Sorry that it took so long. Let’s put the
lockout behind us and look forward to some hockey. Best Serbian
Christmas present I can ask for! Time for another Cup.”

Tyler Seguin, who tore it up for EHC Biel
in Switzerland during the work stoppage, echoed Lucic’s
sentiments.

“Can't wait to get back on the
Garden ice for the best fans in the league,” the 20-year-old
winger tweeted.

“From my grandparents to our
B’s fans,” Ference wrote, “I am deeply sorry that
we had to miss so much hockey. All we can do now is play our hearts
out for you.”